(Newser)
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Not to be outdone by the Senate, a secret, eight-person team—four Democrats and four Republicans—in the House of Representatives is putting together its own immigration bill, reports Politico. Although the group won't make its initial deadline of tomorrow, sources say the House team is making good progress and should have a bill ready by Feb. 12. It's “90% there," said Rep. John Carter, reportedly one of the eight members working on the bill.
While not many details are forthcoming yet, sources say the biggest difference with the Senate bill is the fierce GOP opposition in the House to amnesty, which Carter says they've addressed "with compassion." President Obama reiterated yesterday his desire for comprehensive immigration reform, "in the first half of the year if possible," according to Politico. But with so many conservatives deeply wary of immigration reform, Sen. Marco Rubio may hold the key to getting a deal done, reports Roll Call. "If Rubio signals any mistrust or misgivings, the whole thing collapses," said one GOP pollster.
